Calculation

P3: Renewable materials content of products = Sum for each product (Weight of a product unit x Proportion of renewable materials in product x Units produced)  / Sum for each product (Weight of a product unit x Units produced)  x 100

Units: percent

Why this indicator is important

The rationale for this indicator is similar to that described under the Indicator I1: Non-renewable materials intensity: using renewable materials reduces the demand for non-renewable resources.

This indicator measures the renewable materials content (that is, derived from plants and animals) of all products produced in the facility over the reference year. To take into account a mix of products, it is calculated as the total weight of renewable materials incorporated in all products divided by the total weight of all products.

 

Interpretation

The value for this indicator can range from zero to 100 percent. In principle, higher is better.

Review of the detailed data will show which products and materials contribute most to this indicator.

Although there will be little opportunity to include bio-based materials in some products, the sustainability of the manufacturing process will be improved by substituting renewable for non-renewable materials whenever opportunities arise. This substitution should be done keeping in mind the sustainable yield of the renewable materials and the possible negative economic, social and environmental consequences of large-scale conversion to bio-based products, such as biofuels.

Related issues

As with the indicator Recycled/reused content of products (P1), this indicator does not take into account the possible effect on the quality of the product by substituting renewable materials for non-renewable ones.